Prairie View A&M University is pleased to announce the launch of the Royce West Lecture Series, in honor of Texas State Senator Royce West of Dallas. The lecture series was announced during an official inaugural event held last month during PVAMU’s 2008 Homecoming celebration.

The Royce West Lecture Series was created to serve as a forum for prominent public figures to dialogue with PVAMU students about political and social issues. Held in the auditorium of the College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology Building, the launch event drew a crowd of more than 300, which included distinguished guests, alumni, students, faculty and staff.

For the kick-off event, the university invited panelists to discuss the social and political climate in the U.S. and around the world. Panelists included, Democratic National Committee and Texas Rep. Al Edwards, Prairie View A&M alumnus Carlton Singleton, senior Political Science major Zakiya Farr, and Kentucky State Senator Gerald Neal.

During the historic event, Senator West was acknowledged by PVAMU President, Dr. George C. Wright for his important contributions as a state senator and for his strong commitment to PVAMU. In his remarks to students, Senator West stressed the importance of being politically engaged and encouraged students to vote in the Nov. 2008 election, which resulted in the largest PVAMU student voter participation in more than a decade. West further explained the current economic status of the U.S. and reiterated the need for positive change. He also stressed his hope for the lecture series to bring together scholars that will challenge social norms and foster discussions on public policy.

All of whom stated how proud of Prairie View students they were for their efforts in voting rights and there understanding of the importance to express that right. Senator West also informed the crowd that he, along with Edwards intend to continue to work to get voting polls on the campus.

Senior Education major, Chasity Long stated, “Senator West is very informing and inspirational. I am from Dallas and he presides over the district where I reside. Since he has been there we have seen a lot of change and growth in the community and he also grants opportunities to individuals from the Southern part of Dallas.” Prairie View Mayor Frank D. Jackson ended the program by declaring Oct. 9 “Royce West Day” in the city of Prairie View and presented Senator West with a key to the city.

About Prairie View A&M University:Ranked the only Texas school on Black Enterprise magazine’s 2006 list of “Top 50 Colleges and Universities for African-Americans,” Prairie View A&M University was founded in 1876 and is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in Texas. With an established reputation for producing engineers, nurses and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 41 master’s degrees and four doctoral programs through nine colleges and schools. A member of The Texas A&M University System, the university is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service. During the university’s 132-year history, more than 51,500 academic degrees have been awarded. For more information regarding PVAMU, visit www.pvamu.edu.